jcasino

Just bought a 98 E320 4MATIC wagon with about 179K. The guy was selling it because the transmission just quit pushing the car. No loud noises. No jolting. Just stopped moving. When I started the car, the gated shifter moves normally between gear selections and the motors tone drops as though it's under load. However, when you shift it back into PARK or NEUTRAL from from any gear, you can hear what sounds like a sort of semi-loud clicking noise from a spinning part. It sounds almost identical to the Wheel on The Wheel of Fortune game show. It winds down as the RPM's on whichever piece of the transmission slows down and finally comes to a stop. I'm throwing this on hear with hopes that one of the Guru's may have input for me. Thanks!!!

jcasino

Also, are the transmissions in a 98 and an 02compatible? After 2000, the cars went to the electronic shifter. I'm curious if that makes the transmissions incompatible. Thanks again

tftf4036

Just had the same thing happen with mine today while driving,slowing down to a light,everything normal, went to go and it just revs like its in neutral, and shifts through gears just fine,except from R to P can hear the clicking, R to N I don't hear it, but again from N to D you can hear it. Is this similar to your problem? Also mines a sedan, but a 99 e320 4Matic.

Anyone else have this happen, & or figure out the cause? (Having an issue with my MUX atm so I can scan the module's to tell if its one of them,solenoid,etc.)

I'm wondering if its a transfer issue, because I tried switching from S to W on the console and was able to get it to creep forward,but with a high pitched wine,before I stopped it. (Sounds like a belt wine or something, coming from the transmission)

jcasino

I'm still unsure as to what the problem is. I put the car away for a while and have not touched it. There's no check engine light and no stored trouble codes. Transmission fluid level is good. Any updates?

tftf4036

Hey sorry haven't been on to respond, been trying to get it into the shop to have it looked at. I'll have it in Thursday to find out what the issue is, & I'll let You know what they tell me. As for the check engine lights and trouble codes, I didn't have any pertaining to the transmission, etc. Just the one for a bad O2 that I have. As for fluid level, I'm unable to check that until the dipstick I ordered arrives.

jcasino

I have the dipstick that Snap-On makes for the car and the fluid level was fine. I am waiting for a friend who specializes in MB electrical systems to give it a go over. He seems to feel as though it may not be a mechanical failure. We'll see.

tftf4036

Hey how's it going, I received the dipstick today for my car, checked the level to be fine, I had it towed into the shop and they went over it. There speculation at the moment is that it too is not mechanical damage, but instead electrical.

In my case, my transmission started to shift funny after a passenger riding along dumped a can of monster energy into the cup holder and all over the shift mechanism.

After hours of looking through forums and looking at the WIS, ASRA, & EPC Net diagrams and information, I was able to find the likely culprits to be the Shift control module (inside the black box that the shifter goes through), The Transmission Control Module, or The Conductor Plate.

As it sits now, it starts, and can move through the gears, except the sound of grinding (clicking) when putting it into park. (Most likely the sound of the parking post hitting the teeth on the parking gear that's spinning). It is my belief that either the shift module or the TCM isn't sending a signal to the solenoid to change gears and engage. Its that,or its possible I have a bad solenoid,or dirty tans fluid blocking one of the small offices in the conductor plate where the solenoids sit.

I'll know more once I can get at it,as we're currently getting about 6" of snow on the ground lol.

If you don't have one already, try going to epc net and creating an account (free with NA drivers/users), it has some good diagrams and parts info. And good luck with yours. And I'll update as when I progress

jcasino

I didn't know that anyone spilled a drink on the shifter! That's your problem. I guarantee it. I did that once in another E320 wagon and I had to replace the shifter assembly. Unfortunately, Mercedes only sells it as one part and if I remember correctly, it lists for $560.00. You can probably get it online for less. I'd advise you to buy a new one as used electrical parts are rarely guaranteed. It's worth the extra bucks to have resolution. As soon as I replaced the shifter in my car, it went back to normal. Which shifter assembly do you have? Gated or shiftronic?

tftf4036

Yeah it happened last summer, & had been getting worse,though I didn't link the issues until the other day while searching forums. What a headache. And yeah I know there expensive through the dealership,& its sold as one unit. I'll have it towed back today,& I'm gonna pull it to see if it can be cleaned or if it's toast. I'm still planning on getting a new one though, as I don't wanna chance being stranded again Lol. And I haven't been one to trust used electronics online, learned my lesson with the ECU for a Jeep once. As for the shifter assembly, it is the gated model. I'm not even sure a shiftronic would work in my year? (1999 E3204M sedan) and thank you for all the help you have provided. I'm still looking around for the possible cause of your problem, I'll let you know what I find out, as with the outcome of replacing the shifter assembly. Thanks again

teeboneguy

Hi Guys,

I see you both have done a lot of research. I just brought my 99 4Matic Wagon to a reputable tranny specialist. The wagon started making a whining sound just after I pulled my small boat a few feet in th edrive way. I drove her on the highway at 80mph, no problem.

The sound almost sounds like a power steering whine, but they pulled the pan and said they found shavings. The sound (I was under the car) really down come from the transmission area. I was not there when they pulled the pan.

Now they want to see if its the pump or torque converter and then clean the whole thing out and rebuild some parts to the tune of $2300-$2800.

Do I need this??? How about as second opinion?

Thanks for your feedback.

Rob

teeboneguy

Update- I'm taking her in for the rebuild..... My trusted mechanic said "did you pull the boat witht he parking break on... that could burn it." I DID- about 20 feet only in the driveway. Darned break was on. Must have already been on the way out, that tranny. At least I need to tell myself that!
Cheers
R

tftf4036

I'm sorry to hear it was the transmission, though at least it'll feel more responsive once you get it rebuilt/back.

An update on mine: still haven't had luck figuring out the cause of my problem,I had the shifter replaced, and still the same thing. Then about 2 weeks ago, it wouldn't start. Battery tested fine,& replaced with an identical working one to test from a friends. Still won't start. Checked all connections and wires,appear fine,unbroken or chewed. And I've had the starter pulled and tested. (Solenoid works), I've had 3 techs look at it already, & the ignition switch is fine,along with the inline fuse below the gas pedal. Still isn't showing any codes,though it may not get them since it isn't starting. We're beginning to think it's an immobilizer/anti theft issue... But otherwise lost.

bulldogbob

Change the CPS Crankshaft Position Sensor. I have a 1998 E320 wagon and it would not start. No codes either. Went in through the climate control and found 2 codes, reset them and the car started right up. However let the car run for 5 min and it will not restart until it has cooled completely off. Typical cps sensor and it never set a code on my car.